We Were Kids Once Too | 123Read&Write

An educational blog entry
about the beauty of innocence. See through the eyes of a child and
enjoy the innocence and beauty of life.

The title suggests what most of us shared as a child . . . pure innocence. Think about it. In pre-school, we were all friends. Everyone got invited to birthday parties. It didn't matter who you sat with at lunch, etc. We were all kids with a sense of innocence and wonder. Imagine if as adults, we could harness that same sense of beauty. This worked as a child, because other people's imperfections did not bother us as an innocent child. I can't imagine myself as a six year old yelling at a car who cut my mom off while driving. She may have screamed, but I'm sure I just sat there looking at their bumper and pretty much calling it a day. As adults, what we perceive as other's imperfections drive us into a sense of insecurity and insensitivity. Whenever you're insecure, you may talk behind other's backs, or state what you believe is wrong with someone else. For whatever reason, we think we're given that right to judge others, and honestly, we don't have that right. Yes, there are moments when humanity can be completely stupid, but that's life . . . it's far from perfect. If you expect other people's actions and beliefs to always match with your own, you will make yourself a miserable individual, which will carry over to how to interact with your loved ones or anyone around you.

Let's bring this into the classroom setting. You spent an entire night creating what you believed to be one of the greatest lessons you've ever created. However, when reality hits at 8:00am, the kids are just not focused on your masterpiece. Maybe it's snowing outside for the first time. Maybe many of them were up late. Maybe they just simply aren't in the mood to learn that particular day. Think to your childhood. Were you intently focused on all of your teachers each and every day? I'll answer that . . . No. Believe it or not, our children have other things going on in their lives than the hours they spend in front of us, in the classroom. This helps me in my own classroom setting. It's easy to think that you're the only teacher asking them to do homework on a particular night. However, in reality, they are probably getting some form of work from others, as well. Just as I have other things to accomplish outside of the school day, my students also have other responsibilities. It's very humbling to take yourself off of the podium and realize the innocence in your student's eyes. They're kids. They dream and want to enjoy life. We did, too. This does not mean to make everything easy. It just means that sometimes, it's good to lighten up, and realize that we don't need to take things so seriously, a tremendous weight can be lifted off of our heart . . . and man, that feels good!